Chapter 30
Chapter 30
Translation: godsn
After eating their fill at dinner, Leila Lewellin and Kyle Etman strolled through the night streets, each holding an ice cream cone. Even when Leila suggested they hurry back to prepare for tomorrow, Kyle stubbornly refused.
"Digesting our food properly is how we prepare for tomorrow."
His answer was so confident that Leila couldn't argue back.
"Then let's just walk a little. But, Kyle."
"Yeah?"
"Why do you want to marry me?"
Leila cautiously asked the question, the lingering chill and sweetness of the ice cream still on her lips.
"If it's because you pity me..."
"Leila Lewellin."
The way he called her name carried an uncharacteristic coldness. Before Leila could react, Kyle stepped in front of her, blocking her path.
"Do I look like some lunatic who'd propose out of pity?"
Leila couldn't speak, intimidated by the sharp, unfamiliar expression on Kyle's face.
"Yeah, the world's big and full of crazy people, so I'm sure those kinds exist. But Leila, at least I'm not one of them."
Kyle took a deep breath, as if holding back his anger.
"Why? Because I love you."
"Kyle..."
"That's the only reason. Because I love Leila Lewellin."
Kyle sighed and let out a small laugh as he looked down at Leila's tense face.
"And who's pitying who here? Me, the guy who's been rejected hundreds of times already—pitying you? If anyone's pitiful here, Leila, it's me."
After ruffling Leila's hair lightly, Kyle took a step ahead. He was probably making a pretty foolish expression, and he didn't want her to see it. Understanding his feelings, Leila followed behind him, maintaining that one-step distance.
Walking in silence, they soon arrived back in front of the hotel.
"Go on in."
Kyle turned back to her with a smile.
"Oh, right. I didn't do it today."
Kyle looked down at his melting ice cream cup before slowly raising his gaze.
"Marry me, Leila."
Even though he knew she'd refuse, skipping it today would have felt strange. But instead of her usual "Goodnight, Kyle" and indifferent farewell, Leila was oddly quiet.
Kyle narrowed his eyes, studying her carefully. The gentle yet heartless rejection should have slipped from her lips by now, but instead, an unbelievable response came.
"Okay."
"...Leila?"
Startled, Kyle dropped the ice cream cup he was holding. The melted ice cream splattered over his shoes, but that was the least of his concerns.
"Uh... so, you're saying yes? To marrying me?"
Stammering, he asked again. Leila lowered her eyes and gave a small nod.
"You're saying yes? To me?"
His voice trembled as he repeated the question. Leila, looking embarrassed, nodded once more.
Leila seemed about to say something else, but Kyle let out a cheer close to a scream and suddenly swept her up into his arms.
"Whaaaaaaa!"
Even as passersby in front of the hotel jumped in surprise, even as Leila shrieked in shock, Kyle paid no mind—he just spun her around in his arms, laughing.
The wind that brushed past them carried the fragrance of a spring night.
That night, Kyle dreamed. A dream where he married Leila, became Mr. and Mrs. Etman, and lived an ordinary life filled with happiness.
Once, Leila had said: If I ever have a home someday, far in the future, I'd love a small flower bed. If the roses I plant there take strong root and bloom, I think I'd be really happy. She had smiled shyly as she said it.
In his dream, he saw Leila tending to that very flower bed. Children played around her, more radiant than the roses in full bloom. The sunlight was clear, and the children's laughter was bright.
"Daddy—!"
A child who spotted Kyle came running in a flurry. It was a pretty little girl with golden hair resembling Leila's. An even smaller child, still toddling, bounced excitedly on the spot to greet him.
As Kyle scooped up his daughter and moved toward Leila, a gentle breeze blew. The wind carried the sweet scent of roses. Watching him, Leila smiled—more beautifully than even that lovely dream.
Kyle awoke lingering in the afterglow of that dream. Perhaps because of that happiness, he performed far better on his exam than expected. To think that dream would soon become reality. Could such immense blessings truly exist in this world?
By the time he left the exam hall, he felt like he could soar high into the sky. When he saw Leila waiting for him on a bench outside the building, he truly felt as if he were floating in midair.
"Leila!"
When he called her name loudly, Leila raised her head. She folded the small book she'd been reading and tucked it into the bag slung across her shoulder before approaching with light, graceful steps.
"How was it? Was the exam difficult? Do you think you did well?"
"Now what's this worrying about?"
Kyle deliberately lifted his chin with an air of pride.
"Leila, I'm Kyle Etman. The Kyle Etman who doesn't know how to come in second place in academics."
"Ahhh. Yeeees. Of course you are."
Leila couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"I must have momentarily forgotten about that brilliant Mr. Etman."
"Wow. I might just get my feelings hurt. You'd better remember from now on."
Putting on an exaggerated act, Kyle casually took Leila's hand. Though she startled slightly, Leila didn't pull away. The late afternoon sunlight caught on the curve of Kyle's lips as he smiled broadly, dazzlingly bright.
"You really did well on the exam, right?"
Leila asked cautiously, unable to hide her unease, and Kyle chuckled at how adorable she was.
"Don't worry. There won't be any unfortunate incident where only I fail and we can't attend university together."
"That's not what I meant..."
Leila's cheeks flushed faintly pink. The thought that they might taste as sweet as ripe peaches made Kyle's throat suddenly go dry. It was frustrating that they were on campus. If this were a quiet street, he might have mustered the courage to kiss her. No—if he did something like that recklessly, Leila would shrink back in fear, so he'd have to wait a little longer.
Right. The shovel.
Kyle decided to think about the shovel. That massive shovel caked with dirt, and Uncle Bill's chilling smile.
Hand in hand, the two strolled leisurely across campus. From the Medical Building where Kyle studied to the Biology Building where Leila would. They walked while measuring the distance between them, laughing and chattering excitedly.
"I'm sure you'll pass, but it might be a little difficult for me."
When they reached the Biology Building, Leila whispered with a serious expression.
"Why worry about that? You said the exam went fine."
"It did, but they accept so few female students."
Leila's expression turned sullen. Kyle let out a short sigh and nodded.
"That's true."
It had only been a few years since the Empire's universities began admitting female students. Even then, they accepted only a select few, making the threshold much higher for women.
"But you'll get in."
Kyle spoke with conviction.
"Who else would they accept if not you?"
"Aren't you being overconfident?"
"Not at all. It's a highly reliable conclusion drawn from eight years of accumulated experience."
"Eight years... Has it really been that long already?"
I could still vividly recall the road to Arvis, riding in the postal carriage—yet before I knew it, so many years had already passed. The sight of Kyle, now a tall young man standing before me, suddenly struck Leila anew.
"What's wrong?"
Kyle, flustered under her intent gaze, asked awkwardly.
"You've grown so much."
Leila marveled, her expression still earnest. At times like these, when Leila Lewellin said something so unexpectedly endearing, she was utterly adorable. It felt as if soft down feathers were fluttering wildly in his chest, leaving Kyle utterly at a loss. What am I supposed to do when she's like this?
"Yeah."
Kyle chuckled and nodded.
"Enough to be your husband."
At his sly addition, Leila's breath hitched audibly.
"Do you like the idea?"
"I... I'm not sure."
Flustered, Leila stiffened and quickened her pace. Watching her embarrassed reaction, the smile in Kyle's eyes grew brighter and warmer.
On the way back, Kyle spun dreams that would soon become reality—the house they'd share, their daily life, the beautiful children they'd have someday, the new history of the Etman family they'd build together. He loved the cautious anticipation filling Leila's eyes. I want to make all of this real for her. The thought struck him as slightly silly and sentimental—Maybe this is why I was born in this world.
"How many children would you like? I'd love to have both a daughter and a son."
"Hmm... maybe five?"
The number, so at odds with her bashful demeanor, left Kyle stunned. But Leila only smiled softly and continued.
"With that many, they'd never be lonely. They'd always have each other to lean on. And the house would be lively, filled with little faces that look like each other. I think I'd really love that."
Leila looked so radiant that Kyle's heart ached a little more. Over that bright smile, he could almost see the shadow of all the lonely years she'd endured.
"Five, huh... Alright, Leila. I'll do my best!"
"Huh?"
At Kyle's sudden, booming declaration, Leila's eyes widened. The two stood frozen, staring at each other, before their faces flushed almost simultaneously.
"Th-that's not what I meant!"
Kyle, his face redder than Leila's, stumbled backward.
"Don't think I'm just imagining that all the time!"
"Me neither!"
Leila shot back, equally flustered.
Unable to meet each other's eyes, they fumbled awkwardly before finally letting go of each other's hands and walking a step apart. Sneaking glances at Leila's pouting profile, Kyle stifled a laugh before finally bursting out.
"But Leila, you're this shy about talking, yet you've already decided on five babies?"
Hahk!
Leila whipped her head around, glaring at him through narrowed eyes.
"Surely you don't think the stork delivers all five? And here I thought our Miss Lewellin knew everything—except geometry."
Teasing her further, Kyle grinned as Leila scrunched up her face and broke into a trot. The sharp click of her heels quickened, and Kyle's cheerful laughter grew louder in response.
"Wait for me, Mrs. Etman!"
His playful shout echoed across the spring campus. Leila had already broken into a run, her single braid swaying lightly behind her.
Kyle treasured the sight of her retreating figure. It felt like stepping back into that beautiful dream—one he never wanted to wake from. Not ever.